For all the complicated issues that can arise, your oral health is pretty simple at its core: preventive measures can reduce and sometimes even eliminate your risk for developing many common conditions.
In our office, Dr. Dipesh Sitaram and our team provide these necessary preventive services through our general dentistry services. At home, you and your family can take your own steps toward preventing costly dental visits. We’ve come up with a list of our top five tips for avoiding expensive dental treatment and maintaining a healthy smile.
1. Follow a Good Oral Hygiene Routine
For all the high-quality care our team can provide, your oral health will suffer if you do not practice good oral hygiene at home. You should brush your teeth for two minutes each day and floss once every day to reduce your risk for developing cavities, gum disease, and other common dental issues.
2. Wear a Mouthguard When Necessary
If you play contact sports or take part in an activity (rock climbing, white water rafting, etc.) that could put your teeth at risk, use a mouthguard to reduce your risk for chipped or cracked teeth. While a protective mouthguard is relatively inexpensive, the procedures for restoring damaged teeth can be costly.
3. Keep Up to Date with X-rays
Dental X-rays are an important tool as they allow us to spot potential problems before they are visible to the naked eye. For example, this may allow us to treat a cavity while it is small — before it increases in size to the point where it extends to the nerve and requires root canal therapy.
4. Get Regular Professional Cleanings
Along with your dental X-rays, regular professional cleanings go a long way toward keeping your pearly whites healthy. Our highly qualified hygienists remove plaque that if left alone can lead to decay, infection, and gum disease. You should visit our office for a professional cleaning every six months or so.
5. Don’t Forget About Your Diet!
Diet is an often-overlooked part of oral hygiene. While the occasional sweet treat is fine, a diet high in sugars and starches increases your risk for cavities: the bacteria in your mouth feed on sugar and then break it down into acid which wears away on enamel to create cavities. Consume sugary products in moderation and drink some water afterward to help wash away residue from your teeth.
We Care About Your Oral Health
Please contact our office to ask us any questions about preventive dental care or to schedule your next visit to our office. We look forward to hearing from you.